Cleaning air filter?

**3L4NS1R** · 20th May 2009, 21:46

Not sure if this is the right place to post this.. but im sure i'll get redirected shortly if it's not...

What's the best chemicals to use for cleaning the air filter element? The owners manual says 'high flashpoint solvent'.

What does that mean? What solvents have given you the best results?

Turns out when you remove your airbox lid and go romping through mud, sand, and rain, you actually need to clean your air filter...

**mdbobbo** · 21st May 2009, 19:27

Hi 3L4NS1R,

I do all my own maintanence for the last 30 plus years ( just so you know)
High flashpoint means it does not ignite easily, see link to learn more

http://www.microchemicals.com/solvents.html
click here for referenced page
most people say not too low flashpoint solvent if your in a confined space or it may all turn to toast. ( yourself included)
Example:Kerosine - High Flashpoint / Gasoline - Low Flashpoint /Varsol - High Flashpoint - will melt most plastic.
well your sure to get the idea, and they further say ...
Cleaning your air filter? Well, I'd probably buy a new one, but kerosine is what is use.it's also recomended around the place to use warm dish washing liquid and water but I'll leave that up to you to choose.
In the past I (mdbobbo) used sunlight soap dish washing liquid in warm water it's a good degrease when used liberally, then clean with Kerosine to finish the job removing all the soap, I'm doing some cleaning tonight so will tell you the result by sat

**LBD** · 21st May 2009, 22:31

If ou are going to wash then go with MTBOBBO 's advice.

Me ? I replace filters. If you wash a filter you run 2 risks...

First, you can damage the element and allow particle contaminants into the engine causing damage and premature wear, even if you cannot see the damage, you may increase the micron rating and allow particles through, that a new filter was intended to stop.

Secondly, in the washing process, you can transfer contaminants from one side to the other of the element. particles that will enter your engine when started.

Particle contamination is your engines greatest enemy.

**7mmWSM** · 21st May 2009, 22:50

Originally Posted by 3L4NS1R

Not sure if this is the right place to post this.. but im sure i'll get redirected shortly if it's not...

What's the best chemicals to use for cleaning the air filter element? The owners manual says 'high flashpoint solvent'.

What does that mean? What solvents have given you the best results?

Turns out when you remove your airbox lid and go romping through mud, sand, and rain, you actually need to clean your air filter...

I take it you are talking about foam filter out of a dirt bike - not a paper filter?

You'd be a poor man in this case if you replaced the filter each time you had to clean it!

Petrol will work fine and is easier to get and cheaper than kero, although petrol is a bit harsher on the filter itself. Heres steps listed below

1. Firstly wash the filter in the solvent to remove most of the oil.

2. Wash the filter in a bucket of hot soapy water working the filter in your hands to remove all dirt and grit. Percil cloths powder or Sunlight dishwashing liquid works best.

3. Repeat step 2 until you have no grit showing in the bottom of the bucket.

4. Rince filter in clean water to remove all soap suds.

5. Squeeze as much water as you can from the fiter then allow to dry completely. (I chuck mine in the hot water cupboard overnight).

6. Completely cover the filter in air filter oil until you can ring out excess oil and then install back in the bike. Some brands of oil require you to let the filter stand before installing to allow the oil to set on the filter.
You can also run a bead of grease around the filter lip for a better seal if you are riding in dusty conditions.

Hope this helps you

**Taz** · 21st May 2009, 23:15

Yep exactly as 7mmWSM said except I use mineral Turps to dissolve the oil before washing in hot soapy water then rinsing in clean water. I always let the filter stand overnight before reinstalling. I use turps as it's not as harsh on the foam as petrol and kero.
Andy.

**thehollowmen** · 22nd May 2009, 07:02

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthrax...pril_2.2C_1979

ANTHRAX and air filters... You're going to have to be careful taking his advice

**3L4NS1R** · 22nd May 2009, 08:36

Originally Posted by 7mmWSM

I take it you are talking about foam filter out of a dirt bike - not a paper filter?

Yup, foam filter for my klx.

Cheers for those instructions! Muchly appreciated.

**Blackshear** · 24th May 2009, 00:01

Originally Posted by 3L4NS1R

Yup, foam filter for my klx.

Cheers for those instructions! Muchly appreciated.

My dad always used AV Gas. *shrug*

**Taz** · 24th May 2009, 08:34

Good for him (more money than sense??)

**Motu** · 24th May 2009, 09:28

Safety first - if washing it out in petrol you must use disposible latex gloves.....

**R1madness** · 24th May 2009, 10:59

the best thing we have ever found is FRIEND laundry prewash soak (ask your mum for it). Its easy on the filter and wont desolve the glued joins (unlike most petrols after a few washes).
other than that the post by 7mm is spot on.